Painting Work at Durbar High School
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has issued an important invitation for electronic bids through its Public Works Department, specifically targeting a painting project at one of Nepal's historically significant educational institutions. This detailed analysis examines all aspects of the bid invitation, highlighting the critical requirements, procedures, and considerations that potential bidders must understand before participating in this municipal project.
Overview of the Bid Invitation
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City, through the Office of the Municipal Executive, has published Notice No. 05/PWD-KMC/081-082 on 2081-12-11 (Nepali calendar date), inviting electronic bids for painting work at Durbar High School. This project represents a significant municipal investment in maintaining and improving educational infrastructure within the Kathmandu Valley.
The bid invitation clearly states that KMC has allocated funds from its own resources as well as from the Government of Nepal (GoN) to cover the costs of this project. The invitation specifically targets eligible Nepalese bidders, indicating the government's focus on supporting local contractors and businesses.
Project Specifications
Project Title: Painting Work at Durbar High School
IFB No.: 05-09-081-082-NCBW-PWD-KMC/SMC-27
The project involves comprehensive painting work at Durbar High School, which holds historical significance as one of Nepal's oldest educational institutions. Though not explicitly detailed in the notice, such painting work typically encompasses interior and exterior wall painting, potentially including decorative elements, waterproofing, and protective coatings appropriate for a school environment.
Financial Details
Several important financial aspects of the bid have been clearly specified:
Cost of Bidding Document: NRs 3,000.00 (Rupees Three Thousand Only)
- This non-refundable fee is required to obtain the complete bidding documents.
Bid Bond Amount: NRs 1,70,000.00 (Rupees One Lakh Seventy Thousand Only)
- This security deposit demonstrates the bidder's financial capacity and commitment.
Estimated Project Budget: NRs 62,62,912.14 (Rupees Sixty Two Lakh Sixty Two Thousand Nine Hundred Twelve And Fourteen Paisa Only)
- This includes PS (Provisional Sum) and represents KMC's anticipated cost for the entire project.
Critical Dates and Deadlines
The bid invitation contains several crucial dates that potential bidders must observe:
Last Date and Time of Bid Submission: 2082-01-10, 12:00 hour
- All completed bids must be electronically submitted before this deadline.
Bid Opening Date and Time: 2082-01-10, 14:00 hour
- Bids will be opened in the presence of bidders' representatives who choose to attend.
Date and Time of Pre-Bid Meeting: 2081-12-31, 13:00 hour (Also noted as 23-04-2025 in the international calendar format)
- This meeting allows potential bidders to seek clarifications and better understand project requirements.
Bid Submission Process
The notice provides detailed instructions for the electronic bid submission process:
Document Availability: A complete set of bidding documents is available online and can be downloaded from the e-GP system at www.bolpatra.gov.np/egp.
Registration Requirement: Interested bidders must register in the e-GP system to participate.
Document Fee Payment: Bidders must deposit the cost of bidding document in the specified bank account: Bank Ltd., KMC, Procurement Unit, Account No. 00120500161756KL.
Electronic Submission Mandatory: All bids must be submitted through the KMC-Public Works Department, Kathmandu Metropolitan City electronic procurement system via the PPMO website.
Bid Security Requirements
The notice provides clear guidelines regarding bid security:
Format Options: The bid security may be submitted either as:
- A bid security issued by authorized Financial Institutions according to the format provided in Bid Document, or
- Cash deposited in the specified Kathmandu Metropolitan City account (Account No. 00120500149305) at NIC Asia Bank Ltd.
Validity Period: Bids must remain valid for a period of 90 days after the bid opening.
Security Extension: The bid security shall be valid for 30 days beyond the validity period of the bid.
Additional Important Conditions
Several other significant conditions are outlined in the notice:
Pre-Bid Meeting Location: The pre-bid meeting will be held at KMC-Public Works Department, Office of the Municipal Executive, Babarmahal, Kathmandu.
Bid Opening Procedure: Bids will be opened in the presence of bidders' representatives who choose to attend.
Employer's Rights: KMC reserves the right to accept or reject any bid and to annul the bidding process at any time prior to contract award without incurring any liability to bidders.
Public Holiday Provision: If the date of opening or pre-bid meeting falls on a public holiday, the event will be postponed to the next working day.
Significance of the Project
This painting project at Durbar High School carries particular importance for several reasons:
Historical Value: Durbar High School is Nepal's first modern school, established in 1854 AD, and holds significant cultural and historical importance in Nepal's educational landscape.
Public Image: As a prominent educational institution in the heart of Kathmandu, its physical appearance reflects on the city government's commitment to maintaining important public facilities.
Educational Environment: Research has demonstrated that well-maintained, freshly painted educational facilities positively impact student learning outcomes and morale.
Community Impact: The project will contribute to the visual improvement of the Kathmandu urban landscape, particularly in the historically significant area where Durbar High School is located.
Implications for Bidders
Potential bidders should carefully consider several important aspects of this opportunity:
Technical Requirements: Though not explicitly detailed in this notice, the full bidding documents likely contain specific technical specifications regarding paint quality, application techniques, and finishing standards appropriate for a historic school building.
Timeline Considerations: The project timeline is not explicitly mentioned in the notice, but bidders should anticipate potential constraints related to working around school schedules to minimize disruption to educational activities.
Budget Planning: With the estimated amount clearly specified, bidders need to carefully consider all costs including materials, labor, equipment, safety measures, and cleanup to ensure their bids are competitive yet profitable.
Documentation Preparation: Successful bidders will need to prepare comprehensive documentation as specified in the full bidding documents, likely including detailed work plans, quality assurance procedures, and safety protocols.
Broader Context and Significance
This project should be understood within the broader context of urban development and heritage preservation in Kathmandu:
Urban Renewal Efforts: This project aligns with ongoing efforts by KMC to upgrade public infrastructure and improve the aesthetic quality of the city.
Post-Earthquake Reconstruction: Following the devastating 2015 earthquake, many historic buildings in Kathmandu, potentially including Durbar High School, have undergone structural repairs that now require finishing work such as painting.
Educational Investment: The project represents continued investment in educational infrastructure, reflecting the prioritization of education within KMC's development agenda.
Local Economic Stimulus: By specifically targeting Nepalese bidders, this project contributes to local economic development and supports the domestic construction sector.
Recommendations for Potential Bidders
Based on the information provided in the bid invitation, potential bidders would be advised to:
Attend the Pre-Bid Meeting: This offers a valuable opportunity to seek clarifications and better understand the project requirements directly from KMC officials.
Thoroughly Review Complete Bidding Documents: The full documentation available through the e-GP system will contain critical details not included in this brief notice.
Conduct Site Visits: Though not explicitly mentioned in the notice, visiting Durbar High School would provide essential insights into the scope and challenges of the painting work required.
Prepare Comprehensive Bids: Given the competitive nature of such public contracts, bids should be meticulously prepared with detailed work plans, quality assurance mechanisms, and realistic cost projections.
Ensure Timely Submission: With the clear deadline specified, all required documentation should be submitted well before the cutoff time to avoid technical difficulties with the electronic submission system.
Conclusion
The Kathmandu Metropolitan City's invitation for electronic bids for painting work at Durbar High School represents a significant opportunity for qualified Nepalese contractors. This project combines practical infrastructure maintenance with preservation of an important historical and educational landmark in Kathmandu.
Potential bidders should carefully consider all requirements outlined in the notice and the complete bidding documents. By understanding both the technical requirements and the broader significance of this project, contractors can prepare competitive bids that address KMC's specific needs while contributing to the improvement of Kathmandu's educational infrastructure and urban landscape.
The clear procedures, deadlines, and financial parameters established in this bid invitation demonstrate KMC's commitment to transparency and efficiency in public procurement, aligning with broader national goals of good governance and effective public service delivery in Nepal.
